Yogyakarta — A 2026 study by researchers from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta reveals that Instagram comment sections have become a significant space for hate speech with potential legal consequences. The research, conducted by Siska Novelia, Teguh Setiawan, and Anwar Efendi, analyzes how netizens respond to posts by Indonesian public figure Aurel Hermansyah and highlights how online language can cross into legally problematic territory.
The study, published in the East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR), demonstrates that comments on social media are not merely expressions of opinion but can function as linguistic evidence in legal contexts. This makes the findings particularly relevant as digital communication continues to expand across Indonesia and globally.
Social media platforms have transformed public communication by allowing users to share opinions instantly and without geographic limits. However, this openness has also encouraged the spread of negative expressions, including insults, harassment, and provocative statements. In Indonesia, such expressions are subject to legal regulation under the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE), making the boundary between free speech and unlawful communication increasingly important.
The researchers from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta used a qualitative descriptive approach to examine user comments on the Instagram account @aurelia.hermansyah. The dataset focused on comments posted in early January 2024. The team collected and categorized the comments based on their meaning and context, then analyzed them using a forensic linguistics framework. This approach allowed the researchers to identify not only what was said, but also the intent behind each statement and its potential legal implications.
The findings show that hate speech in the comment section follows identifiable patterns rather than appearing randomly. Many comments contain direct insults targeting physical appearance or personal traits. Others reflect emotional expressions such as anger and frustration, while some include warnings or threats. A number of comments also act as provocation, encouraging others to adopt negative attitudes toward the individual.
The study also highlights how hate speech is expressed through different types of speech acts. Some comments are clearly emotional expressions, while others take the form of statements, directives, or labeling. This variation demonstrates that harmful language is not always explicit; it can be subtle, implied, and embedded in everyday communication. Despite this, such language can still carry significant legal weight.
One of the most important insights from the research is that language used on social media can serve as legal evidence. Comments containing elements of insult, intimidation, or provocation may meet the criteria for criminal violations depending on context and intent. This reinforces the idea that online communication is not separate from legal responsibility.
The case involving Aurel Hermansyah illustrates how public figures often become targets of intense online scrutiny. The researchers observed that many negative comments were driven by emotional reactions to specific posts, reflecting how quickly public opinion can shift in digital environments. This dynamic contributes to a communication culture where impulsive responses often replace thoughtful dialogue.
Beyond individual impact, the spread of hate speech affects the broader digital ecosystem. It can reduce the quality of public discourse, increase social tension, and normalize aggressive communication. As a result, the study emphasizes the need for greater awareness among social media users about the consequences of their language choices.
Siska Novelia and her colleagues from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta underline that understanding linguistic context is essential in preventing legal violations in digital communication. They also point to the growing importance of artificial intelligence systems that can detect and filter hate speech more effectively, helping platforms maintain healthier online environments.
The research opens opportunities for further interdisciplinary studies combining linguistics, law, and technology. Expanding this approach to other social media platforms could provide a more comprehensive understanding of how hate speech operates and how it can be mitigated.
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